NBC announced the news Monday afternoon, following unconfirmed reports about the project last week. The new series will be Fox’s first regular role on television since he departed Spin City in 2000 following his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease.

The as-yet-untitled show, pitched by Fox himself, is inspired by the Back to the Future actor’s own life – he plays a husband and father of three dealing with Parkinson’s. Will Gluck, who directed Friends with Benefits and Easy A, is on board to direct the pilot and executive produce. Also EPing is Sam Laybourne (Cougar Town, Arrested Development).

The series marks Fox’s return to NBC, where he shot into stardom as Alex P. Keaton, the endearingly over-achieving, staunchly Republican son of two hippie parents, on 1980s sitcom Family Ties.

“We have all been such huge fans of Michael and hoped one day he would return to television with his own show,” Jennifer Salke, resident of NBC Entertainment, said in a statement. “He had us at hello with his warmth, humor and incredible charisma. The fact that he pitched us a show that was funny, heartwarming and personal was the icing on the cake!”

More recently, Fox, 51, has guest starred on such TV shows as Boston Legal, The Good Wife, Scrubs, Curb Your Enthusiasm – all of which have earned him Emmy nominations – and Rescue Me, for which he won an Emmy in 2009.

NBC has given the single-camera series a 22-episode commitment and is aiming for a Fall 2013 premiere date.